Mum's Mission to aid babies

 

A mum and her three year old daughter have pooled their talents in a bid to help premature babies and their parents.

Little Katie Thomas has just completed a "Splashathon" to help Tommy's, a charity that assists such tiny tots.

While mum Kerri has used her IT skills to set up a website to act as a forum of support and information for the parents of premature babies.

Despite being born eight weeks premature Katie Thomas is a perfectly healthy three-year old child - but many like her are not so lucky.

That is why Katie and her mother Kerri are going to such great lengths to raise both awareness and money for the issue.

For the second year in a row little Katie has completed a sponsored swim in aid of Tommy's the organisation for parents of premature, stillborn and miscarried babies.

This year Katie raised £62.00 through her 'Splashathon', swimming a width of the local pool. Last year she raised a similar amount for the same cause.

"Katie knows she is raising money to help premature babies", said Kerri.

"After I had Katie she spent about a month in Prince Charles Hospital Special Care Unit and the staff were wonderful. She had jaundice at the time but we have been very lucky because there have been no long-term effects. She is a very healthy, bright and lively girl.

SKILLS

"I think most people want to do something after that experience to try and give something back because they are so grateful for what the staff did for them".

Kerri, went one step further than most. Using her skills as an IT teacher, she set up a website to act as a forum for support and information for parents who find themselves in the same position.

"I set the site up about a year ago and I update and maintain it regularly. I'm in touch with women all over the country who either have premature babies or are worried they may be having a premature baby.

I get my medical information from books and other Internet sites and the next phase of development is to work with Prince Charles Hospital's Special Care Unit which will have some input to the site".

For Kerri and husband Peter their first experience of childbirth could hardly have been more distressing. But on the Internet, they found a great source of information.

"Public libraries have Internet access and that's a good place to start," said Kerri.

  • Kerri's website can be found at www.premature-babies.co.uk and features links to many related sites including the Tommy's website.

Cynon Valley Leader (August 10th 2001)